Mar 19, Colombo: Just days after repatriating 140 Indian fishermen Sri Lanka Navy has arrested another 75 Indian fishermen along with 18 vessels on Wednesday night for invading Sri Lankan waters.

The Navy along with the Coast Guard handed over 140 Indian fishermen with 31 fishing boats on 17th March to the Indian Coast Guard.

The navy personnel from Thalaimannar, Kankasanthurai, Kayts and Karainagar have arrested the Indian fishermen for illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

The arrested Indian fishermen included 25 fishermen from Rameswaram and 50 fishermen from Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Karaikal with 13 boats, according to an Indian media report.

Rameswaram fishermen were detained in Thalaimannar, while the others were at Kankasanthurai, the report further said.

The arrest comes a day after Sri Lanka released all 172 fishermen held in the island's jails and 31 boats as a pre-condition for the second round of fishermen level talks between the two sides to take place on March 25.

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalithaa demanded the release of all 177 fishermen, including five fishermen, who have been detained in a Sri Lankan jail for more than two years on drug smuggling charges, and 44 boats before the second round of talks which were scheduled to be held on March 13.

Indian fisheries officials believe the fishermen arrested Wednesday will be released soon due to the talks which are to be held next week.